[RobinL]

We've had our first hens for close to 4 years now, two Bluebell hybrids, a Light Sussex and a Speckled Maran. One of the Bluebells has been quiet for a week or two now, it was previously one of the most curious birds, it's been starting to spend more time stood still hunched up. There are no obvious problems, it has been through the moult a couple of months since and it looks fine. I was just wondering if it's simply getting older and slower ?
I know that pure breeds tend to live longer but how long do hybrids last ?

None of the birds are laying at the moment but I guess thats normal for the time of year and the age of the birds.

Any ideas ?

Ta.

[joyfull]

my bluebelle was 5 when I lost her, but my blackrock is now at least 6 and still going strong 

[Fisherman]

From what I understand there are quite a number of influencing factors as to how long hens live: -

Breeding
General housing conditions
Quality of feed
Stress
Parasites both internal and external
Predators
Etc

All being well 3 - 6 years for a hybrid and longer for a pure-breed. How long they continue to lay for is another question altogether.

[4chooks]

Just following on from the other posts.. Personally i think its how well they are looked after and the environment they live in, etc etc ... a good age is 3+ but as stated above some last a lot longer...

[ManicMum]

But, as with humans, there are variations where one individual lives longer or dies sooner than you would expect from the breed.